Adams Elementary lets WATCH D.O.G.S. in

More than 300 Adams Elementary students and fathers attended the school’s first WATCH D.O.G.S. meeting on Sept.20.

WATCH D.O.G.S., which stands for Dads of Great Students, is a school-based father involvement program that works to promote education and safety.

The main goal is to get fathers involved in their child’s life, especially at school. To be a part of the program, fathers must volunteer at the campus at least one day out of the school year.

“Normally, we only see moms around and whenever you go to an elementary campus there are a lot of female teachers and not very many males,” Adams Elementary Social Worker Ms. Jennifer Montes explained. “The whole idea is to get male role models available for children to see on a regular basis, even if it’s not their own father.”

According to the National Center for Fathers, 39 percent of children in grades first through twelfth grade live in a home without their biological father.

“What the WATCH D.O.G.S. are going to do is provide that opportunity for the children that may not have a positive male model in their home,” Top WATCH D.O.G. James Cuellar said.

WATCH D.O.G.S. can volunteer by visiting their child’s classroom, reading to students, helping out in the workroom as well as in the library, they can help supervise students in the cafeteria, during recess and during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up.

“They are like an extra set of eyes that help us keep the campus safe,” Montes explained. “We are looking forward to having this program through the school year and hopefully it will continue for years to come so that dads can come and do activities with their children here.”